The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly pushed back against mounting calls for the resignation of its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, describing such demands as a direct threat to its constitutional independence.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, INEC dismissed allegations of bias raised by political actors, insisting its recent decisions—particularly regarding internal disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—were strictly guided by legal obligations and court directives.
According to the commission, compliance with a Court of Appeal ruling was necessary to avoid a repeat of past electoral crises in states like Zamfara and Plateau, where failure to obey court orders led to the nullification of electoral outcomes. INEC maintained that disregarding subsisting judicial directives could undermine ongoing legal proceedings and compromise electoral integrity.
Responding to calls for Amupitan’s removal, the commission emphasized that its leadership is protected under the Constitution, noting that the appointment and removal process cannot be influenced by political pressure or public sentiment.
“Any calls for removal outside the constitutional process are a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” the statement stressed.
INEC also rejected claims that its actions threaten Nigeria’s multi-party system, pointing to the recent recognition of additional political parties, bringing the total number of registered parties to 22. It reiterated that its role is regulatory, not political, and that it remains neutral in all party affairs.
On its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, the commission clarified that the initiative is an administrative audit designed to clean up the voter register by eliminating duplicate entries and removing deceased voters. It added that the process predates the current chairman’s tenure and will include digital verification options.
Despite these assurances, tensions remain high. The ADC, led by David Mark, has escalated its criticism, accusing INEC of partisanship and alleging that its actions are part of a broader strategy linked to the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
The standoff underscores a deepening trust deficit between opposition parties and the electoral body, with broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic process. As preparations intensify for upcoming off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun, INEC’s credibility and perceived neutrality are set to remain under intense scrutiny.